By Amanda Stroud
Clubs in the Eden-Monaro electorate are ramping up their fight against proposed mandatory pre-commitment gambling reforms by organising a public rally in Braidwood on Wednesday, July 13.
Following the release of the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling reform in May this year, the government is now seeking to legislate to have the gambling reforms introduced.
Managing director of the Eden Fishermen’s Recreation Club Peter Cook is organising buses from Eden to Braidwood for local club members to be a part of the rally.
“We are hoping to get the message out that this legislation hasn’t been thought through properly and that it spells the end of regional clubs as we know them.
“It’s time for (club) members to voice their opinions about what they think about this ‘licence to punt’.
Mandatory pre-commitment is at the heart of the swag of gambling reforms proposed by Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie. Prime Minister Julia Gillard signed up to the reforms in exchange for Mr Wilkie’s support in the House of Representatives. Without his support, Ms Gillard’s slim majority could fail and the government forced to an early federal election.
Clubs NSW has been fighting the reform tooth and nail, alleging that they will force many clubs to close thereby robbing communities of the facilities and services the clubs provide.
Of real concern are the costs of the reform, especially the technology needed to track gamblers across all poker machines to ensure they stay under a self-determined gambling cap, and the inconvenience factor of having to sign-up to use club pokies, expected by the clubs to so inconvenience social gamblers that they will choose not to gamble at all.
Eden’s clubs say the reforms would deal them a fatal blow, estimating the cost of introducing the technology combined with reduced revenue from social gamblers to be around $1million. They say this would lead to the closure of some club facilities, possibly even the closure of the Eden Garden’s Country Club, including the bowling club and golf course.
“If this ill-conceived legislation goes ahead, ultimately it will be the members and the community who will lose their services, lose their bowling greens and lose their meeting places if mandatory pre-commitment is introduced,” Mr Cook said on Monday.
“It won’t even address the problem it is supposedly targeting - problem gambling.
“There are around 95,000 problem gamblers in Australia and in Eden we have only a few. We already have programs in place to help these people.
“We’re asking for volunteers from our member base, sporting and ordinary members, to join us at the rally on July 13.
“If they are golfers or bowlers they will be required to wear their golf or bowling clothes so they can be identified. Club staff will also be invited to attend.
“Club management and the board of directors will be in attendance as well.
“We’ll be gathering at Braidwood at 11am and walking up the main street to the park. We’ll be carrying placards and voicing our opposition to the ‘license to punt’.”
With around 45 licensed clubs in the Eden-Monaro electorate, Mr Cook is hoping that over 2000 people will join the rally, along with Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Dr Mike Kelly.
“But it would still be a great success if we had 500 attend,” he said.
“The clubs will make sure lunch is provided in Braidwood. All are welcome including those with special needs. Just let the club know. If you want a seat on the bus, book a seat with the club.”
Email a friend